Driver side headlight

[Wesbo]

So, what's the trick with changing the bulb in the driver-side headlight in my 2002 (uses 9007 halogen bulb).

Passenger side went in OK, but it looks like I need to take out the driver-side battery to get the driver-side bulb in?

Thanks,

W

[ametcalf]

I have fairly small hands but I have never had to take the battery out to change the bulb either before I put the upgraded harness on or afterwards.
I will try and get a chance to look at it in the daylight tomorrow and make an entry telling you the full proceedure I use if someone doesn't beat me to it.

[ametcalf]

W.
Sorry I am so late getting back to you. I just went out to my 2000 to make sure I was telling you right. Like I said, although I am 6' tall, I have fairly small hands. I am right handed but I change that bulb with my left hand. I take my watch off and stand right in front of the headlight. I reach between the battery and the body of the truck and turn the retaining ring about a 1/4 clockwise to release it. (Counter clockwise if looking from the rear of the truck.) Once the retaining ring releases, pull the whole unit straight out. Then lift the unit up where you can pull the old bulb straight out of the socket. Push the new bulb into the socket being careful not to touch the glass on the new bulb. I usually hold the new bulb with a paper towel so as not to leave skin oil on it so that it builds up heat and burns out prematurely. Hold the flat side of the bulb and socket to the top push the bulb and socket straight into the headlight housing. Turn the retaining ring back on to the headlight housing. Check to make sure that the headlights work and you should be in business. The reason I changed my harness is that the socket on the passenger side was starting to melt so that the intensity of the bulb varied each from dim to bright each time I drove the truck at night. Rather than fix the socket that was there I decided to take the advice of others on this website, change the harness and get rid of the cheap socket problem.
I hope this helps.
Arvid

[Coldfoot]

I pull my battery every 6 months when my drivers side bulb expires. Gives me an excuse to clean up the terminals.

[GrampyJim]

I usually just remove the top two clips on the headlight pod, release the lower clip and lean the pod forward....

[Wesbo]

Thanks all. I might not be back for a while if I get stuck with my hand behind the headlight.